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BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 


OF 

JOIIX  S.  NEWBOLD. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


There  is  in  the  Library  of  "  the  Society  of  Inquiry 
on  IMissions"  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Princeton, 
N."  J.  a  most  interesting-  manuseript-work  in  two  vol- 
umes, called  "  The  Obituary,"  in  which,  as  its  name 
imports,  the  last  days,  especially,  (though  a  brief  bio- 
gvaphy  commonly  attends  it)  of  all  deceased  persons 
who  have  once  been  members  of  that  Institution — are 
recorded. 

It  is  a  w^ork,  which,  alas!  is  but  too  certain  of  enlarge- 
ment. It  is  replete,  already,  with  affecting  and  useful 
sketches  of  the  life  and  death  of  some  of  our  most  devoted 
and  distinguished  young  Ministers,  or  candidates  for  the 
sacred  office . 

Not  less  than  forty  names  are  here  registered  among 
the  dead;  and  the  second  volume  is  rapidly  filling  up. 
Who  next  shall  be  there  enrolled,  God  alone  can  tell! 

As  a  memorial  of  departed  worth,  these  volumes  are 
most  creditable  to  the  Society : — and  to  the  future  his» 


2G8  ADVEKTISEMENT. 

torian  of  the  American  Church,  will  be  rich  in  impor- 
tant matter. 

But,  in  the  mean  time,  it  seemed  a  circumstance 
greatly  to  be  regretted,  that  so  many  interesting  and 
profitable  narratives  siiould  be  entirely  withheld  from 
the  Christian  public. 

We  feel  this  the  more,  from  having  intimately  known 
many  of  the  lamented  subjects  ;  from  a  careful  perusal 
of  the  solemn  contents  ;  and  from  a  persuasion  that 
candidates  for  the  Ministry,  generally,  might  derive 
from  them  important  benefit,  as  well  as  great  pleasure. 
With  these  views  it  was,  that  we  (having  a  special  re- 
gard to  the  Candidates  under  the  care  of  the  Board  of 
Education)  requested  permission  of  the  Society,  through 
a  friend,  to  publish  a  portion  of  these  narratives  in  the 
little  volume  in  which  they  now  appear  : — and  we  can- 
not too  heartily  thank  our  young  brethren  of  that  vene- 
rable Seminary,  for  the  promptitude  and  kindness  with 
which  they  yielded  to  our  washes. 

We  present  the  following  as  specimens  only,  of 
the  entire  work,  having  no  space  in  the  present 
volume  of  our  Annual  for  more.  But  we  hope  to  be 
permitted  to  enrich  its  future  pages  with  similar  and 
more  copious  extracts. 

It  is  due  to  the  "  Society  of  Inquiry"  to  say,  that 


ADVERTISEMENT.  269 

though  the  pieces  arc  generally  well  written,  most  of 
them  are  the  productions  of  early  youth,  and  were  not 
originally  designed  for  the  press.  We  have  thought  it 
best,  however,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  verbal  correc- 
tions, to  publish  them  as  they  were  written,  proceeding 
as  they  do,  from  the  hearts  of  pious  youth,  weeping  at 
the  tombs  of  departed  brethren  and  fellow-students. 

If  these  pages  should  meet  the  eye  of  surviving  rela- 
tives of  the  deceased,  we  are  persuaded  they  will  ap- 
prove our  humble  attempt  to  honour  their  memory,  and 
to  make  them  speak  from  the  grave.  The  facts  are 
considered  public  property;  and  having  been  furnished 
by  their  friends  for  the  Archives  of  a  public  institution, 
there  can  be  no  indelicacy  in  making  the  present  use  of 
them. 

May  these  simple  and  almost  sacred  annals  do  much 
good,  as  they  go  forth  upon  the  minds  of  a  great  num- 
ber of  youth,  now  looking  to  the  sacred  office  !  May 
they  learn  from  these  solemn  memorials,  that  no  extent 
of  present  usefulness — or  promise  of  it  for  the  future, 
can  avert  the  stroke  of  death! 

THE  EDITOR. 

Philadelphia,  Oct.  8th,  1832. 


iuo(;KAriiv  OF 


JOHN  S.  NEWBOLD. 


John  Sflirni  Nkwi:oj.d,  was  born  on  the  1st  October, 
1795,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Ho  was  distinguished 
from  early  youth  by  a  disposition  peculiarly  amiable  and 
engaging,  an  active  and  ingenuous  mind,  a  memory  un- 
commonly retentive,  and  a  conscientious  regard  for  truth. 
His  deportment  was  cheerful,  and,  in  his  early  years, 
even  gay;  yet  a  consistency  and  dignity  marked  iiis 
character,  wliich  caused  him  to  be  regarded  almost  with 
reverence  by  the  youthful  members  of  the  family. 
After  finishing  the  usual  term  of  preparatory  education, 
and  with  marks  of  peculiar  approbation  from  his  teach- 
ers, he  left  Philadelphia  on  the  8th  November,  1813, 
for  Princeton,  and  was  admitted  into  the  College  of 
New  Jersey,  as  a  member  of  the  Sophomore  class. 

We  have  been  often  led  to  admire  the  manifest  lead- 
ings of  an  all-wise  Providence  at  this  time.  His  mother 
had  always  objected  strongly  to  his  going  to  college,  on 
account  of  the  fear  of  exposing  her  son  to  the  tempta- 
tions and  dangers  associated  in  her  mind  with  a  college 
life.  He  had  endeavoured  to  quiet  her  apprehensions 
and  sooth  her  fears  on  his  account,  considering  them  as 

7. 


272  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

groundless,  but  her  reluctance  was  still  great  at  parting 
with  him.  How  little  did  she  know  the  rich  blessings 
that  were  in  store  for  him ;  that  at  this  very  place  ho 
should  see  his  lost  state  as  a  sinner,  and  be  enabled  to 
flee  to  that  Saviour  who  was  his  confidence  and  hope  ! 

It  was  his  intention,  when  he  had  finished  his  college 
course,  to  study  medicine.  He  frequently  expressed  his 
sentiments  on  this  subject  with  much  animation,  and 
thought  the  ability  to  relieve  the  sufferings  of  his  fellow 
creatures  would  be  productive  of  great  happiness  to 
him.  At  this  time  he  seems  to  have  have  had  no  claims 
to  the  character  of  a  christian  ; — but  liis  conduct  and  all 
his  intercourse  was  distinguished  by  a  dignity,  joined  to 
an  affability,  that  secured  the  respect  and  affection  of 
all  that  knew  him. 

In  the  October  vacation  of  1814,  he  was  remarked  by 
his  family  to  be  more  serious  than  usual,  but  they  could 
not  account  for  it  then.  At  this  time  he  said,  (referring 
to  what  he  supposed  would  be  his  future  profession) 
that  he  wished  to  be  a  Physician  to  the  soul  as  well  as 
to  the  body,  and  asked,  priva,tely,  to  have  a  Bible  put 
into  his  chamber.  He  returned  to  college,  and  continued, 
without  any  particular  indications  of  seriousness,  until 
the  14th  January,  1815,  when  his  family  received  a 
letter  stating  the  change  which  lie  hoped  he  had  under- 
gone.  Addressing  his  mother,  he  says :  "  Although  I 
shall  not  have  time  to  write  much,  I  thought  I  had  bet- 
ter write  to  you  in  order  to  communicate  to  you  a  cir- 
cumstance, which  I  hope  will  make  you  and  the  rest  of 
the  family  sincerely  glad.     You  have  heard  me  speak 


JOHN  S.  NEWBOLD.  273 

sometimes  of  tfic  excellent  preachin*T  we  have  here. 
I  have  now  to  inform  you,  that  through  the  hlessing  of 
God  upon  it  I  have  been  made  to  have  some  serious  im- 
pressions in  regard  to  my  situation,  which  I  hope  and 
trust,  througli  the  mercy  of  God,  will  not  be  extin- 
guished, but  will  continue  to  increase  and  accompany 
me  through  my  whole  life,  and  finally  gain  for  me  a 
blessed  immortality.  I  do  not  doubt,  my  dear  mother, 
that  this  information  will  give  you  sincere  pleasure ;  at 
least,  it  has  had  this  effect  upon  some  pious  young  men 
in  college ; — how  much  more,  then,  upon  you,  who,  I  am 
certain,  take  such  a  deep  interest  in  my  welfare.  It 
gives  me  pleasure  also  to  mention,  tliat  there  are  ap- 
pearances of  several  others  being  inclined  soon  to  follow 
the  same  path  which  I  am  endeavouring  to  follow; 
and  God  grant  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  persevere  in 
following  it.  How  happy  should  I  be  made,  if,  at  my 
return  home  in  the  vacation,  I  should  find  a  like  change 
had  taken  place  in  all  at  home :  that  you  had  all  been 
made  to  know  your  best  interests !  It  is  my  daily 
prayer  that  this  joy  may  be  mine ;  and  oh,  may  my 
prayers  be  heard  I" 

From  this  time  we  shall  make  frequent  extracts 
from  his  weekly  communications  with  his  family,  which 
afford  the  most  faithful  transcript  of  his  religious  views 
and  feelings,  and  the  most  interesting  outline  of  his 
noble  character.  Although  this  change  in  his  senti- 
ments appears  to  have  been  very  sudden,  yet  in  his  next 
letter  he  mentions,  it  was  not  so  much  so  as  was  sup- 
posed— "  Serious  impressions  were  made  upon  my  mind 


274  BIOGRAPIPY   OF 

in  some  degree  towards  the  close  of  the  last  session, 
Avhicli  were  considerably  interrupted  during  the  vaca- 
tion, but  revived  with  double  force  on  my  return  to  col- 
lege tliis  fall.  I  did  not  know  that  there  was  any  body 
similarly  affected  in  college,  which,  of  course,  kept  me 
from  declaring  my  sentiments  until  I  thought  they 
w^ould,  through  the  Divine  blessing,  be  lasting." 

From  this  time  it  was  his  constant  endeavour,  by  the 
most  faithful  and  affectionate  exhortations,  to  interest 
those  who  were  nearest  his  heart,  in  the  concern  of  their 
soul's  salvation.  This  will  be  exemplified  fully  in  the 
following  extract  of  a  letter  dated  March,  1815:  "I 
have  written  you  so  often  on  the  subject  of  religion,  my 
dear  *****,  that  I  do  not  know  what  more  I  can  say. 
But  I  do  hope  I  have  not  written  altogether  in  vain. 
Have  you  not  felt  sometimes  that  what  I  told  you,  how- 
ever feebly  expressed,  was  nevertheless  true,  and  of  the 
utmost  importance  ?  Have  you  not  felt  sometimes  half 
inclined  to  be  religious ;  and  do  you  not  intend  to  be  so 
yet  some  time  or  other !  Surely  you  do  not  intend  to 
die  without  making  some  preparation  for  eternity ;  then 
why  delay  ?  What  hinders  you  but  want  of  inclina- 
tion !  Why  don't  you,  then,  strive,  my  dear  *****, 
while  God  is  inviting  you  so  tenderly,  and  promising 
that  if  you  will  strive  you  shall  obtain  it?  When  Jesus 
Christ  died  to  save  you,  why  will  you  destroy  your- 
self? This  short  and  sorrowful  life  will  soon,  very 
soon,  be  past,  and  our  spirits  will  return  to  God  who 
gave  them ;  and  oh,  how  awful  will  that  return  be  for 
us,  if  we  should  be  called  away  in  an  unprepared  state  ! 


JOHN  S.  NEWROLD. 


275 


The  time  murd  come,  and  however  it  may  seem  to  hn- 
ger,  it  is  approaching  with  dreadful  rapidity.  Can  you 
look  forward  without  being  dismayed  ?  Can  you  look 
into  the  grave,  that  cold  and  silent  mansion  for  all  the 
living,  and  to  which  we  arc  all  liastening,  and  not  shud- 
der ?  Can  you  look  forward  to  the  morning  of  the  re- 
surrection, and  not  almost  think  you  hear  the  arch- 
angel's  trump. summoning  you  to  appear  at  the  dread 
tribunal  of  an  offended  God?  Remember  that  the 
same  Jesus  whom  you  might  have  for  an  Advocate  and 
Saviour,  will  otherwise  be  your  Accuser  and  your  Judge ; 
that  as  his  mercy  is  infinite,  so  also  is  his  wrath.  Oh, 
then,  while  you  have  time  and  opportunity,  make  him 
your  Saviour ;  try  to  obtain  an  interest  in  his  death  and 
inconceivable  sufferings.  Do  not  think  me  too  harsh  in 
what  I  have  written ;  indeed,  it  is  a  subject  not  to  be 
trifled  witli.  Oh,  may  God  make  us  all  trophies  of  his 
redeeming  love  and  grace  1" 

Of  these  letters,  one  of  his  sisters  says,  "I  trustjwith  him 
that  these  affectionate  remonstrances  have  not  been  in 
vain.  All  that  this  dear  brother  said  and  did,  deeply  in- 
terested us ;  and  if  any  of  us  have  a  hope,  through  grace, 
of  eternal  life,  it  is  entirely  through  his  instrumentality." 
In  the  spring  vacation  of  1815,  (the  first  he  spent  at 
home  after  the  revival  in  the  college,)  his  whole  deport- 
ment was  impressively  solemn  and  affectionate.  He 
took  the  earliest  opportunity  to  converse,  and  "I  think," 
says  his  sister,  "piety  never  shone  in  a  more  amiable, 
yet  forcible  light,  than  in  him ;  bringing  every  power  into 
subjection  to  Christ  Jesus,  without  the  least  appearance 


276  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

of  ostentation  or  gloom.  Yet  it  could  not  but  be  ob- 
served, that  his  face,  generally  pale,  was  now  more  than 
usually  so,  and  a  slight  pain  in  his  breast  caused  us 
some  apprehension  on  account  of  his  health." 

From  that  time  till  he  left  Princeton,  he  was  more  or 
less  subject  to  this  pain ;  and  dated  its  origin,  it  is  be- 
lieved, from  the  time  when  his  mind  became  occupied  so 
much,  as  he  said,  with  things  of  a  higher  nature,  that 
bodily  exercise  was  for  a  season  almost  entirely  ne- 
glected.* On  his  return  to  Princeton,  he  was  led  to  more 
frequent  exercise,  and  in  consequence  was  mucli  better, 
and  more  free  from  pain  than  when  in  the  city.  At  the 
close  of  the  vacation  spoken  of  above,  he  was  confirmed, 
and  afterwards  made  a  public  profession  of  religion  in 
the  Episcopal  Church.  From  the  time  that  he  was  first 
religiously  impressed,  his  views,  which  had  formerly 
been  towards  the  study  of  medicine,  were  directed  to  the 
Ministry.  He  graduated  25th  September,  1816,  highly 
distinguished  for  talents,  scholarship,  and  piety,  having 
received  the  first  honours  of  the  class.  On  the  7th  of 
November  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  in 
Princeton, 

In  his  first  letter  from  thence  he  says,  "I  hope  and 
pray  that  it  may  please  God  to  bestow  upon  me  the  ne- 
cessary qualifications  to  make  me  a  usefiil  and  faithful 
minister  of  the  Gospel.  My  wants  are  very  great,  but 
in  Jesus  there  are  inexhaustible  treasures  of  grace,  from 
which  I  hope  to  be  supplied.   Oh,  that  I  were  more  sen- 

*  How  often  is  the  Church  of  Chi-ist  called  to  deplore  this  sad 
indiscretion  in  some  of  her  most  promising  sons  I— Ed. 


JOHN  S.  NEWBOLD.  277 

piblcof  tlie  greatness  of  my  necessities,  and  more  earnest 
seeking  to  have  them  supplied  I" 

"  From  tlie  tenor  of  two  or  three  letters  during  his 
last  session,"  says  his  sister,  "our  friends  were  in  some 
measure  prepared  for  a  conversation  we  had  -with  him 
in  January,  1817,  in  which  he  mentioned  the  probability 
of  his  going,  at  some  future  period,  as  a  IMissionary  to 
the  heathen.  In  the  first  of  these  he  mentions  the  fre- 
quent and  pleasant  walks  he  had  with  one  of  his  most 
intimate  friends,  and  that  the  subject  of  their  conversa- 
tions was  of  a  nature  very  interesting  to  them ;  and  of 
which,  perhaps,  he  would  give  us  some  account  in  the 
vacation."  In  another,  a  short  time  afterwards,  he 
writes,  "  We  do  not  know  how  widely  we  may  be  sepa- 
'rated  in  this  world ;  and  we  ought  to  be  ready  and  will- 
ing to  make  every  sacrifice  which  our  duty  may  re- 
quire. This  remark  does  not  apply  so  immediately  to 
the  case  in  hand,  as  to  what  may  be  the  case  a  year  or 
two  hence.  We  do  not  know,  however,  but  that  some 
separations  of  a  more  solemn  and  interesting  kind  may 
take  place  before  that  time,  and  for  these  it  should  be 
our  constant  and  assiduous  endeavour  to  be  prepared. 
For  this  purpose  we  should  study  to  have  our  affections 
very  much  loosened  from  earthly  objects,  we  should 
walk  in  communion  with  God,  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  and 
in  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  In  a  third,  (one 
of  the  last  he  wrote  from  Princeton,)  after  mentioning 
how  much  we  had  been  separated  for  the  previous  eight 
years,  he  says,  "  But  there  are  many  who  spend  a  longer 
time  than  that  without  being  at  home  at  all,  and  many 


278  BIOGRAPRY  OF 

whom  distress,  or  the  love  of  wealth,  and  a  few  whom 
the  love  of  Christ  and  of  perishing  souls,  lead  to  spend 
their  whole  lives  in  foreign  lands.  How  many  and  how 
different  are  the  causes  which  separate  the  members  of 
the  same  family  from  one  another ;  yet  if  they  are  also 
members  of  the  family  of  Christ,  they  ought  not  grieve. 
Though  in  this  world  they  are  debarred  the  pleasure  of 
each  other's  society,  yet  they  have  a  mansion  where  they 
shall  dwell  together  forever.  It  is  o,  truth,  there  re- 
maineth  a  rest  for  the  people  of  God.  Do  we  think  se- 
riously and  frequently  enough  of  this  consoling  truth  ? 
I  know,  that  for  myself,  I  do  not ;  and  I  believe  this  is  a 
common  fault  among  Christians.  If  we  did,  we  should 
not  live  such  cold,  unprofitable  lives  as  we  do;  we  would 
not  make  so  much  of  every  trifling  object  of  time  and 
sense,  and  be  so  much  concerned  about  the  ease  and 
comfort  with  which  we  should  pass  through  life.  Our 
time  of  continuance  here  is  short;  our  rest  is  sure  and 
glorious ;  it  has  been  bought  with  blood ;  it  is  bestowed 
on  the  unworthy;  shall  we  not  labour  then  to  fill  up  our 
time  in  that  way  which  was  our  Saviour's  constant 
aim  ?  O,  let  us  pray  for  the  grace  of  his  good  Spirit  to 
mould  our  hearts  into  perfect  conformity  to  his  will." 
He  afterwards  speaks  of  the  Missionary  Society  in  the 
Seminary,  and  says,  "  It  is  to  be  lamented  that  a  mission- 
ary spirit  does  not  prevail  more  amongst  us.  It  seems  as 
if  one  might  say,  if  a  missionary  spirit  does  not  glow  in 
your  breasts,  where  are  we  to  look  for  it  ?  I  do  not  be- 
lieve a  single  one  am.ongst  us  is  resolved  for  this  work  ; 


JOHN  S.  NEWKOLD.  279 

and  tlicrc  are  not  more  than  two  or  tlircc  wlio  think 
seriously  about  it!" 

From  the  time  tliat  he  became  deeply  sensible  of  the 
value  of  liis  own  soul,  he  manifested  a  deep  concern  for 
the  Heathen ;  and  it  is  not  recollected  that  he  ever  ad- 
dressed a  throne  of  grace  without  mentioning  them. 

The  frame  of  liis  mind  on  entering  the  last  year  of 
his  life  may  be  known  by  the  following  extract  from  a 
letter  dated  January  2d,  1818 :  "  This  is  the  first  time 
I  have  made  the  figures  of  the  new  yeaj,^  and  as  this 
is  the  first  letter  of  the  year,  I  begin  with  sending 
you  the  compliments  of  the  season,  my  sincere  and 
hearty  desires  that  you  may  have  many  and  happy 
returns  of  it;  and  that  every  succeeding  one  may  find 
you  more  engaged  in  religion,  luore  devoted  to  the  ser- 
vice of  God,  and  experiencing  more  of  the  blessedness 
of  it ;  that  Jesus  may  become  more  and  more  precious, 
and  the  indwelling  of  the  Holy  Spirit  more  constant, 
purifying,  and  comfortable.  How  much  reason  have  I 
to  be  thankful  to  the  Lord  for  his  continued  goodness 
and  mercy  to  me.  Indeed,  we  have  all  cause  for  thank- 
fulness ;  and  now,  at  the  beginning  of  this  year,  it  be- 
comes us  to  enter  upon  it  with  humiliation  for  the  sins 
of  the  past,  and  with  purposes  of  new  obedience  for  the 
future.  Whether  we  shall  be  permitted  to  see  the  end  of 
it,  is  known  only  to  the  Lord ;  but  we  should  endeavour 
so  to  live,  that  whatever  may  be  his  will  concerning  us, 
we  may  be  prepared  for  it." 

He  had  been  admitted  a  candidate  for  holy  orders  in 
the  Diocese  of  Pennsylvania,  October  28,  1817 ;  and  on 


280  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

May  20th,  1818,  he  left  the  Seminary  with  the  expecta- 
tion of  finishing  his  theological  course  in  Philadclpliia. 

Here  his  alFectionate  fellow-students  would  record 
their  testimony  to  that  uncommon  Avorth,  which  is  so 
deeply  engraven  on  the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  any 
thing  of  the  humble  and  vigorous  mind, — the  noble,  and 
disinterested,  and  holy  spirit  of  this  exemplary  Chris- 
tian.  The  memorials  of  liis  excellence  are  not  confined 
to  a  few  intimate  friends  who  knew  him  best.  All  his 
fellow-students,  as  they  were  the  objects  of  his  love,  and 
the  subjects  of  his  fervent  prayers,  were  sharers  in  the 
influence  of  his  godly  example,  and  will  affectionately 
remember  Neweold,  their  departed  brother,  to  the  end 
of  their  days.  In  the  circle  of  private  friendship  he  was 
cheerful,  entertaining,  faithful,  and  edifying.  In  societies 
for  doing  good  he  was  always  extremely  active,  taking  a 
leading  part  in  every  scheme  for  the  glory  of  God  that 
was  within  his  reach.  The  plan  of  Sabbatli  School  in- 
struction,'which  promises  do  so  much  for  the  world,  was 
commenced  in  Princeton  by  him.  He  possessed  an 
uncommonly  penetrating  mind,  well  stored  with  the 
most  useful  information;  and  one  spurred  on  to  fatal 
diligence  by  the  best  of  motives,  which,  while  it  was 
accumulating  with  surprising  activity  the  best  of  all 
knowledge,  was  laying  it  at  the  feet  of  Jesus.  Yet  he 
was  well  known,  too,  among  the  numerous  poor  whom 
he  visited,  instructed,  and  comforted;  and  even  the 
stranger  whom  he  met  in  his  private  walks,  was  soon 
apprised  by  his  pious  exhortations  that  he  was  a  disciple 
of  Jesus.     In  a  word,  his  whole  character  was  such  as 


JOHN  S.  NEWBOLD.  281 

this  world  had  rarely  known,  even  amongst  those  who 
have  devoted  the  longest  lives  to  its  attainment. 

Soon  after  he  left  the  Seminary,  it  was  observed  that  he 
had  a  slight  cough,  but  it  did  not  excite  in  us  any  alarm, 
till  on  the  evening  of  the  27th,  when,  having  coughed 
harder  than  usual,  he  said  with  great  composure,  "I  am 
spitting  blood."  This  was  the  beginning  of  his  fatal 
disease.  The  family  physician  was  sent  for,  but  he  ap- 
peared  to  look  to  the  great  Physician,  for,  as  he  after- 
wards  said,  he  knew  not  what  might  be  the  immediate 
result.  His  mind  seemed  occupied  the  remainder  of  the 
evening  in  meditation.  Bleeding,  and  a  low  regimen, 
were  prescribed  for  him,  and  he  was  prohibited  much 
conversation.  At  each  return  of  hemorrhage,  which 
was  frequent,  his  strength  was  gradually  reduced.  It 
was,  therefore,  advised  that  he  should  spend  as  much  as 
possible  of  the  hot  weather  in  the  country.  He  left 
home  on  the  second  of  July,  attended  by  one  of  his 
sisters,  and  visited  several  of  his  relations  residing  in 
New  Jersey.  In  the  minds  of  air  who  saw  him  during 
this  little  tour,  he  excited  a  deep  interest.  Many  of  them 
viewed  him  as  much  nearer  eternity  than  he  really  was, 
and  already  ripe  for  heaven.  So  perfect  an  example  of 
patience  and  submission  was  he,  that  he  seems  to  have 
left,  in  these,  that  proved,  indeed,  farewell  visits,  impres- 
sions that  will  never  be  effaced.  "  Perhaps  you  will  be 
surprised,"  says  his  sister,  "  that  but  little  conversation 
on  the  subject  of  the  removal  of  this  dear  brother  passed 
between  him  and  us.  The  fact  is,  to  us  the  suggestion 
of  the  idea  was  agonizing;  he  knew  how  we  loved  him, 


282  BIOGRArHY  OF 

and,  when  he  remotely  hinted  at  it,  ho  saw  the  pain 
which  it  occasioned.  This  was  the  reason  why  so  little 
was  said.  But  often  he  took  occasion  to  speak  of  the 
happiness  of  the  saints  in  light.  One  Sunday  evening 
in  particular,  when  we  were  setting  alone  in  ««r1tttle 
room  in  the  Pines,  how  sweetly  did  he  discourse  on  the 
privilege  of  being  called  home  in  the  season  of  youth, 
of  the  blessed  employments  of  Heaven,  and  of  the  sin- 
fulness and  selfishness  of  immoderate  sorrow  for  the 
loss  of  those  wliora  we  did  not  doubt  were  before  the 
Throne  of  God." 

He  returned  from  the  excursion  on  the  12th  Septem- 
ber, and,  through  the  pleasant  weather  of  the  fall,  his 
health  was  thought  to  be  certainly  improving,  and  a 
strong  hope  was  entertained,  that  his  passing  the 
winter  in  a  warmer  climate  would,  with  the  Di- 
vine blessing,  improve,  if  not  entirely  restore  it.  "Ac- 
cordingly, on  the  5th  of  November,  he  lefl  home  for 
Savannah.  The  parting  was  most  painful  to  us  all-  Our 
trust  w^as  in  God  alone,  to  preserve  and  restore  us  again 
to  each  other.  All  this  time  my  dear  brother  preserved 
the  utmost  composure.  He  seemed  to  indulge  a  faint 
hope  that  his  journey  might  be  of  benefit,  and  with  that 
hope,  wished  rather  to  go  than  not,  though  he  said,  per- 
haps it  would  be  better  for  me,  as  Dr.  Alexander  once 
observed  of  persons  surprised  by  an  ill-turn,  to  set  my 
house  in  order,  and  prepare  to  die,  instead  of  travelling 
abroad  seeking  health.  He  took  with  him  some  suitable 
books,  but  never  opened  them.  The  Bible  alone,  of  all 
books,  interested  iiim.     While  he  had  strength,  nothing 


JOHN  S.  NEWBOLD.  283 

prevented  liim  from  perusing  it  daily  with  meditation, 
and  oflen  it  was  read  to  liim  at  his  request.  At  these 
times  his  remarks  were  most  edifying  and  beautiful. 
On  religious  subjects  he  eontinued  to  the  last  to  speak 
with  animation.  His  missionary  views  did  not  decUne 
with  his  health.  He  frequently  expressed  regret  that 
he  was  leading  so  useless  and  inactive  a  life,  and  that 
he  did  not  feel  that  zeal  for  God  that  he  once  felt. 
It  was  observed  to  him,  that  he  was  now  incapable  of 
active  exertion  from  weakness;  but  that  if  he  had 
strengtli,  he  would,  no  doubt,  be  as  ready  to  engage  in  it 
as  ever;  which  he  admitted  might,  perhaps,  be  the  case. 
"He  sailed  from  New  Castle  November  7th,  and  was 
favoured  with  a  mild,  short  passage.  At  sea  he  was 
subjected  to  many  inconveniences,  of  which,  however, 
he  never  complained;  but  which,  as  an  invalid,  he  must 
have  felt  sensibly.  He  arrived  at  Savannah  on  Sunday 
evening  15th,  and  went  to  reside  in  the  family  of  a  friend 
and  physician.  He  appeared  to  have  taken  no  cold  at 
this  time,  from  which  favourable  conclusions  were 
drawn,  much  as  he  had  been  unavoidably  exposed  on 
board,  and  in  landing,  and  the  weather  had  been  cool 
and  rainy.  In  a  day  or  two,  however,  he  raised  a  small 
quantity  of  blood ;  from  that  time  he  was  subject  to 
hoarseness  and  some  degree  of  oppression  at  the  breast 
in  damp  weather,  from  which  he  always  recovered  as 
soon  as  it  became  clear.  Every  fine  day  he  either  rode 
or  walked  out,  and  though  all  saw  how  weak  he  was,  it 
was  still  hoped  he  would  soon  become  stronger,  as  his 
symptoms  had  assumed  a  favourable  appearance.  The 
A  a 


284  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

week  preceding  the  last  of  his  life,  he  walked  out  with 
more  pleasure  and  less  fatigue  than  he  had  since  our  ar- 
rival. At  this  time  the  weather  changed  most  unfavour- 
ably;  it  was  very  damp  and  cold,  such  a  season  as  had 
not  been  known  there  for  many  years.  This  was  too 
much  for  his  weak  frame  to  endure.  He  soon  com- 
plained of  a  pain  in  his  side,  and  a  difficulty  of  breath- 
ing. On  Tuesday  morning  he  came  down  stairs,  while 
the  family  were  at  breakfast ;  appeared  to  be  weak,  and 
ate  but  little.  His  mind,  tlirough  the  whole  of  his  last 
day  upon  earth,  seemed  quite  abstracted  from  the  world. 
He  spoke  with  great  difficulty;  not  without  drawing  a 
breath  between  every  word.  He  asked  Dr.  K.  when  he 
came  in,  to  look  at  what  he  had  expectorated.  He  before 
said  that  he  thought  it  was  ulcerated  matter.  The  Dr. 
told  him  it  was ;  he  heard  this  without  the  least  change 
of  countenance,  and  seemed  to  think  the  time  of  his 
departure  near.  He  said  to  his  sister,  as  she  sat  by  him. 
It  seems  as  if  the  Lord's  blessing  has  not  attended  our 
coming  here.  It  would  be  almost  impossible  to  give  an 
idea  of  his  appearance  and  manner  through  this  da3^ 
He  suffered  great  pain ;  but  unless  he  had  been  asked, 
none  of  us  would  have  known  it.  Not  a  single  com- 
plaining word  escaped  him,  nor  any  expression  of  suf- 
fering. Several  times  through  this  day  he  took  medi- 
cine. At  dinner  and  tea  he  occupied  his  usual  place, 
though  he  eat  but  little.  It  was  evident  through  the 
whole  day  that  his  illness  had  increased.  In  the  even- 
ing  the  family  all  retired.  During  this  time  he  said  but 
little,  but  did  not  sleep.     He  sometimes  inquired  tlie 


JOHN  S.  NEWBOLD.  285 

hour,  and  between  one  and  two,  asked  if  it  was  not  time 
for  the  Doctor  to  come  in.  The  Doctor  was  called.  His 
patient  was  evidently  worse,  and  did  not  appear  to  have 
sufficient  strength  to  raise  the  phlegm  which  oppressed 
him.  As  his  sister  leaned  over  him,  he  said  in  a  low, 
inarticulate  tone,  "/  hope  it  will  please  God  to  release 
me  soony  How  hard  was  the  struggle  to  part  with 
such  a  brother  !  But  strength  and  resignation  were 
given.  She  told  him  she  hoped  he  would  soon  be  re- 
lieved. He  said  I  do  not  hope  that,  but  that  I  may  be 
released.  She  asked  if  it  was  because  he  suffered  so 
much.  He  replied,  I  am  afraid  it  is.  He  was  told  that 
he  had  no  cause  to  think  so,  that  he  had  always  been 
resigned  to  the  Lord's  will.  I  was  not  prepared  to  dia 
so  soon,  said  he,  that  is,  from  the  nature  of  his  symp- 
toms, he  had  not  been  prepared  to  expect  his  removal  so 
speedily.  When  the  Saviour,  the  Rock  of  Ages,  on  which 
he  had  rested,  and  the  glories  of  that  world  to  which  he 
was  soon  to  be  introduced,  were  mentioned  to  him,  and 
he  was  asked  if  he  had  not  a  good  hope  of  acceptance 
through  Christ,  "Oh,  yes !"  he  replied.  On  being  asked 
if  he  had  any  thing  to  say  to  his  dear  family  at  home, 
he  answered  nothing  very  particular  at  this  moment ; 
give  my  love  to  all  the  dear  children,  and  tell  them  to 
prepare  for  death.  He  then  said,  give  me  time  to  pray. 
For  several  moments  he  -was  engaged  in  earnest  prayer. 
His  voice  was  so  low  that  his  sister  could  understand  but 
little  of  what  he  said ;  the  tenor  of  it  was  in  humility, 
confessing  himself  to  have  been  unfaithful  and  sinful,  un- 
worthy of  mercy,  but  hoping  for  it  through  the  blood  of 


286  BIOGRAPHY  OF,  &C. 

his  Redeemer.  At  this  time  his  eyes  were  closed, 
but  the  serenity  of  his  countenance  was  not  for  a  mo- 
ment disturbed.  He  sunk  rapidly,  and  spoke  no  more, 
nor  opened  his  eyes  again  upon  the  world.  "I  would 
not,"  says  his  afflicted  sister,  "  interrupt  (by  speaking  to 
him)  the  peacefulness  of  his  departing  spirit."  During 
the  last  fifteen  minutes  his  breathing  was  scarcely  per- 
ceptible ;  and  it  was  difficult  to  say  whether  he  was  an 
inhabitant  of  this  or  a  brighter  world.  On  Wednesday, 
A.  M.  at  quarter  before  4  o'clock,  the  23d  of  December, 
he  was  released.  He  feel  asleep  in  Jesus.  Truly  "  the 
righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death."  We  can  adopt  for 
him  the  language  of  his  favourite  hymn, 

"  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are, 
While  on  his  breast  I  lean  my  head, 

And  breathe  my  life  out  sweetly  there." 


^ 


m 


